In compliance with Kansas Statute KSA 2009 Supp. 65-129,
all Cowley College students who have traveled, resided in for more
than three months, or were born in any country where Tuberculosis (TB)
is endemic as identified by the KDHE Kansas Department of Health and
Environment, must provide TB test results prior to the start of the
semester. Any
student who is not in compliance is not eligible to attend classes
or enroll for a subsequent semester or term or obtain an official academic
transcript or diploma until the student is compliant with the requirements.

State laws and regulations require that cases of tuberculosis be reported
to the local or state health department. The Kansas Tuberculosis Control
Program provides, free-of-charge, anti-tuberculosis medications to
local health departments for the treatment of TB disease. Additionally,
preventive medications for individuals with TB infection are provided
at no cost to local health departments or other medical providers.
In order to receive medications for a patient afflicted with TB infection,
the health care provider or local health department must provide the
state program information about the diagnostic screening of the patient
(TB test and chest x-ray results). For individuals with active TB disease,
the local health department must provide information about the diagnostic
screening of the patient along with information about the patient's
treatment, potential contacts to the patient, and other detailed information
as requested on an ongoing basis.

What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis, often referred to as TB, is a disease caused by a bacterium
called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the
lungs, however TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as
the kidneys, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease
can be lead to death.

How is TB spread?
Tuberculosis is spread by breathing in the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
bacteria which has been coughed or sneezed out by someone with active
TB. This can happen anywhere. You may never know from whom you get
the disease.

What are the symptoms of TB?
General symptoms may include feeling weak or sick, weight loss, fever,
and/or night sweats. Symptoms of TB of the lungs may include cough,
chest pain, and/or coughing up blood. Other symptoms depend on the
particular part of the body that is affected.

Does everyone who is infected with TB bacteria get sick?
No, there exist two types of TB conditions: Latent TB infection and
Active TB disease

Latent TB infection - TB bacteria can live in your body without
making you sick. Most people who breathe in the TB bacteria and become
infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from
growing. People with latent TB infection do not feel sick and do
not have any symptoms. The only sign of TB infection is a positive
reaction to a TB test. People with latent TB infection are not infectious
and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, if TB bacteria
become active in the body and multiply, the person will get sick
with TB disease.

Active TB Disease – TB bacteria become
active if the immune system can't stop them from growing. When
TB bacteria are active (multiplying in your body), this is called
TB disease. TB disease will make you sick. People with TB disease
may spread the bacteria to those they spend time with every day.

How will I known if I have TB?
Get a TB test. Other follow-up testing may need to be done to see if
you have TB infection or TB disease.

What is the BCG vaccination?
BCG is a vaccine which has been widely used in many countries (not
the United States) to provide immunity against Tuberculosis. It is
usually given on the left shoulder or forearm. It is often given to
babies and repeated at five to ten year intervals.

If I have already had the BCG vaccination, do I still need to undergo
TB testing?
Yes, as studies have shown that the BCG vaccination is often not effective
in preventing TB infection.

If I had a TB test in the past, do I still need to undergo TB testing?
If
you have lived in a country not on the Low Incident or Exempt
Tuberculosis (TB) Country List for more than three months in
the past year you must undergo TB testing. Students who have documentation
less than a year old of having undergone TB testing in the U.S. may
submit their TB results to the Office of the Vice President of Student
Affairs for review to determine whether the results can be used to
meet TB testing requirements. The documentation must be provided at least 6 weeks before the payment deadline of the upcoming semester
to be considered for evaluation.

How will I be tested for TB?
There are two tests that can be used to help detect if a person has
TB: a skin test or a special blood test.

Mantoux tuberculin skin test: The TB skin test (Mantoux
tuberculin skin test) is performed by injecting a small amount of
fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin in the lower part of the
arm. A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48
to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction
on the arm.

TB blood test: TB blood tests (also called interferon-gamma release
assays or IGRAs) measure how the immune system reacts to the bacteria
that cause TB. Only one visit is required. This will be required
if you have had the BCG Vaccination or a previous positive test.

Should I have a TB skin Test or a TB blood test?
You are required to undergo a TB blood test, if you:

Are from a country not on the list of Exempt or Low incident /Tb
Countries.

Had the BCG vaccination.

Using the TB skin test on individuals who have
had the BCG vaccine can sometimes lead to false positive testing
results, meaning the person is thought to have the TB bacteria when
in fact he/she doesn’t.
Unlike the skin test, the TB blood test is NOT affected by the BCG
vaccination. Because the TB blood test is more accurate, it is required
that students who have had the BCG vaccine or who are from high risk
countries for TB be tested using this method.

Where should I go to be tested?
You should be tested at your local County Health Department or your
personal health care provider.

What is the cost of a TB test?
You are required to pay the cost of TB testing and any follow up medical
expenses related to TB testing.

Estimated costs in this area vary and are available through College
Clinics,
Public Health Departments, (check for local area), or Local Medical
Providers. You will need to make your own payment arrangements

If you have a positive TB test you will be required to have a chest
x-ray. Since chest x-rays are not provided at County Health Departments
you will need to go to a private health clinic to have one done.

For I-20 students: The cost of a chest X-ray will be your responsibility.
Students who have health insurance should check for coverage for TB
testing and chest x-rays with own their health insurance as most insurances
will cover the cost.

When should I go for my TB test?
If you are an international student, you are required to submit your
TB test results and chest x-ray results (if required) at least 6 weeks
prior to the start of the upcoming semester. If you are
a resident of the United States of America, the deadline is a week
prior to classes. Those who do not meet this deadline will be
dropped from their classes. The TB testing procedure can take up to
3 weeks to complete. It would be recommended to begin this process
in May for the fall semester, and by October for the Winter/Spring
semester.

What does a negative, positive or an indeterminate TB result mean?

If the evaluating screening is negative: (GOOD)
This means you are most likely not infected with TB. Once you bring
in the result of a negative TB test to the IISS office, the hold
you have on your account for TB testing will be updated. Further
testing for TB will only be required of you if you are still at
this college two years from the time you were last tested.

If a TB skin test or X Ray is positive: (Chest x-ray
needed)*
This means that most likely you are infected with the TB bacterium
(germ). If you are not sick, then the infection is probably latent
TB Infection (LTBI) or inactive TB. People with latent TB infection
are not infectious and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However,
if TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, you will
get sick with TB disease.

If the test result is indeterminate:
This means that the infection status with the TB bacterium could
not be determined. It does not mean the test failed. You may be
required to undergo a chest X-ray or have another TB blood test
if you get an indeterminate result.

*If you have a positive TB skin test result (your enrollment
account will be put on hold), you must then go for a chest X-ray and
have the physician who orders the chest X-ray report a certificate
of health results. When this completed form is submitted to the college
admission department, the hold you have on your account for TB
testing be updated.

Will I need to take medication if I have a positive TB test result?
Most people who have a positive TB result have latent TB infection,
which cannot be transmitted and does not cause symptoms. A 6 to 9 month
course of treatment with antibiotics may be recommended by the County
Health Department or your doctor to kill the tuberculosis infection.
If you don't take the medication, the bacteria will remain in your
lungs, and you will always be in danger of getting active tuberculosis.
If you choose not to take the course of treatment recommended by the
County Health Department or your doctor, you will need to submit a
yearly chest x-ray report to the admission/student life in order to
avoid having your classes dropped in the semester your chest x-ray
is due.

Active TB disease can be transmitted and is very serious, sometimes
causing permanent damage and even death. It is curable with appropriate
medication and treatment with antibiotics is required.

County Health Departments provide free treatment medication to all
students identified as having latent TB infection or active TB disease. A
certificate of health will be required after treatment for a positive
treatment has been implemented.